Desk set structure



Dec. 27, 1932. D, TEF-FT DESK SET STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 1, 1932 PatentedDec. '27, 1932 UNITD STATES PATENT OFFICE IVAN D. TEFFT, OF JANESVILLE,WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE PARKER PEN COMPANY, F JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN,A CORPORATION 0F WISCONSIN DESK SET STRUCTURE appucation mea February 1,1932. seran No. 590,177.

My invention relates to desk sets of that character including a baseadapted to rest Hat-wise upon a desk, or a like surface, for supportinga Writing instrument, (such as a fountain pen or pencil) in position forready use, and it has to do more particularly with novel base structuretherefor.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a simple andinexpensive structure l0 of the foregoing character adapted for readyand quick conversion of an ordinary pockettype fountain pen unit into adesk set unitand vice versa, wherefor a single fountain pen unit mayefficiently serve for both pocket and desk set purposes.

A further object is to provide a base structure to which the ordinarycap of a fountain pen may be releasably attached for supporting thefountain pen in an upright condition for desk set use, which cap servesthe purpose of the bowl or receptacle usually employed in devices ofthis character.

Additional objects are to provide a Vsocalled bowl-less orreceptacle-less desk set;

to provide support means cooperative with the cap-carried clip of thefountain pen for y supporting the cap in position to receive and holdthe fountain pen in upright condition with its writing point downward;to provide an arrangement of the foregoing character which does notrequire the manipulation of any fastening means to secure the parts inoperative position or to disassemble the same;

and to provide a structure, embodying but few parts which may beinexpensively manufactured and assembled.

Other objects and advantages will `become apparent as this descriptionprogresses and by reference to the drawing wherein,

' Figure l is a top plan view of an assembled desk set structureembodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is asection, partially in elevation, through the structure shownin Fig. l, and illustrating different approximate positions which thepen cap may assume in applying the same to the base structure;

F ig. 3 is a section taken substantially at right angles to Fig. 2, thepen and cap assembly being omitted; and

Fig. a is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 3.

It will be understood that while my invention is adapted particularly tofountain pen desk set structure, the assembled unit may also well servethe purpose of supporting a pencil or other writing instrument.

Referring particularly to the forni of structure shown in the drawing,it comprises a onepiece, circular base l0 which may be die-cast orformed in any other suitable manner from an inexpensive material. Thebase shown in the drawing is of a. plural diameter character but it isobvious that this shape is dependent merely upon choice and the base maytake any desired shape inclusive of the features hereinafter pointedout. For sake of lightness in weight, the base may be cored out7providing a bottom opening ll, which opening is covered by a piece offelt, or othersuitable material, l2, which is adapted to prevent marringof the surface upon which the base may rest.

In desk set structures it is customary to include a receivingfreceptaclewhich is attached to the base for receiving and supporting the writinginstrument. According to -my invention this receptacle is eliminated andthe ordinary detachable cap of the fountain pen is employed for thispurpose. This feature involves a problem of attaching and supporting thecap upon the base and I accomplish this cooperatively with thecap-carried clip of the fountain pen as follows: The fountain penillustrated is of a Parker type and the top face of the 4base 10 isprovided with a socket or pocket 13 of general V-shape having a wallcontour approximating the contour of the closed end of the fountain pencap 14. More particularly, the V-shaped seat is provided with' aflat-surface, particircular bottom 13a disposed at an angle with respectto the axis of the base against which the fiat end 14a of the pen cap isadapted to seat; and the side wall surface 13b thereof is ofsemi-annular form bulging slightly at 13c so as to receive and unifprmlyfit to the end portion of the cap laadja'cent its flat end 14a. The seatsurface 18d extends away from the surface 13 at approximately rightangles so that with the end` 14a of the cap resting @All 1 leg may besoldered in place.

against the surface 13a the cap is supported approximately in theposition shown 1n F1gures 1 and 2. lt will be understood, however, thatthe aneular relationship of the seat surfaces 13a andD 13", as Well asthe relative shapes ot these suriaces, may be varied to suit theparticular requirements of the user inthe use of his `.tountain pen withthe base 10. For example, the end portions of various caps may vary inshape and the shape of the seat suri'aces may be accordingly variedWith` out departing from my invention.

'lo secure the cap 14 upon the base 10, I preferably employ thefollowing:

The base, on opposite sides of the seat 13, is provided with openingsland 16, both ot which entend :troni the top face of the base into thebottom opening 11. These openings and 16, for use with the cap shown inthe drawing, are located, preferably, at the approximate positionindicated in Figs. 3 and l to one side of the apex ot the il-shapedsocket 13, Wherefore in the use o1 the structure new to be described,the cap 14 is held firmly under tension in the position shown in Fig. 2,and Without looseness in the assembly employed. This securement of thecap is aceomplished by the use ot an inverted lll-shaped spring member17, the legs 17a and 1'2" ot which, respectively, are mounted in thebase openings 15 and 16. Both of these legs, preferably, entend throughthe base into the bottom opening 1l and the end of the le@ 1 7 is turnedover against the top vvall or the opening 11, preventing withdrawal ofthe spring l?. The spring leg 17EL is, preferably, secured (in anydesired manner) against downward movement in its opening 15. rllhissecurement may be effected by interlocking the turned over end 17 otthis leg with the base in some suitable manner, or some suitableadhesive material or the like may be ap `plied to the spring leg 17 inits application to the base to etlect this result, or this spring Theother springleg 17 is free in its opening 16 to move up and down. 'llhebase ot the spring l? bridges the socket 13 to one side of the apex ofthe latter and it tapers inwardly from its legs, providing a. depressedor bowed central portion adapted to receive and hold the fountain pencap-clip 18 in a centered position and against lateral displacement. Thebase olf base portion is such as to guide the pen cap into and hold itin substantially the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

l'n the use of the base structure, the owner et the ordinary pocket"fountain pen removes the cap lstot the same and turns it to substan-ltially the dotted line position indicated at in 2. The cap is then movedin such a Way as to pass the base of the spring member 17 between theend 18 of the clip and the side Wall et the cap to substantially theposition it shown in Fig. 2 wherein the closed 2 Leeaisi end of the clipand the spring 17 are in abutting relation. In this position the spring17 and clip serve as a bearing unit about which the cap 14 is rotatedtoward the full line position of Fig. 2. In this rotation the cap andbase assume an intermediate position indicated by the dotted lineposition B of Fig. 2 wherein the end edge 14n of the cap opposite theclip-spring bearing engages the top of the base approximately at theouter edge 13d of the sen1i-annular scat surface 13b. Upon furtherrotary movement ot the cap from the position B of F ig. 2, theclip-spring side of the cap is slightly raised due to the leverageaction of the parts, raising the spring 17 and placing it under tension.This action permits the end edge 14 of the cap, which was originallyseated at 13d to slip into the socket 13 and ride inwardly along theinclined Wall 13b thereof until the flat end of the. cap rests againstthe iiat seat 13a. It will be noted that during the foregoing movementthe spring 17 is first raised and then lowered, Whereore the spring l?constitutes a reciprocable axis upon which the cap rotates. lt Will befurther noted that the axis of rotation of these parts is normallyfarther avvay from the end edge 1li of the cap than from any part of thesurface. of socket 13. lt will, therefore, be seen that during the capmovement, and While the cap is in its mountledposition, the spring 17'is under tension and the relative centers and positions et the partsabove described are such that the cap Will be held in this positionuntil pressure is applied to move the cap in the opposite direction andtoward the position A of Fig. 2. It

Will also be appreciated that the relationship just described may bevaried to suit conditions of use as, for example, Where the position ofthe clip With respect to the closed end of the cap varies,all of whichmay be done Without de arting from my invention.

ln the toregoing the objects and advantages of my invention hereinabovemore particularly stated will be obvious; and it is to be understoodthat While have shown only one form ot structure embodying my invention,other changes in details and arrangements of parts may be made Withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of my invention as defined by theclaims which follow.

l claim:

1. In structure of the class described, a base having a seat-pocket inits top surface, and a spring member supported by said base andextending across said pocket, said spring member being capable ofyielding movement toward and from said pocket.

2. ln structure of the class described, a base having a vl-shaped socketin its top surface, and a. spring member yieldable to- Ward and fromsaid socket supported by said base and bridging said socket.

3. In structure of the class described, a base llO having an Open topsocket in its top surface, a spring member Supported by said base andbridging said socket above the latter, said member having itsmid-portion bowed at approximately the central portion of said socket.

4. In structure of the class described, a base having a socket in itstop surface, an inverted U-shaped spring member having one of its legssecured in said base and its other leg freely movable in said base withthe U-basel of said member bridging said socket.

5. In structure of the class described, a base having a V-shaped socketin its to surface, a spring member carried by sai base and extendingacross said socket above said base at a point to one side of the apex ofsaid socket.

6. In structure of the class described, a base having a socket With aflat surface extending inwardly from the top of the base at an angle andanother annular surface extending from the bottom of said flat surfaceoutwardly to the top of said base at approximately right angles to saidflat surface, and spring means carried by said base and bridging saidsocket.

7. Desk set structure comprising a base having a socket in its top, aspring member carried by said base and bridging said socket, a capmember having a closed end and an open end adapted to receive theWriting point of a Writing instrument, and means carried by the closedend of said cap member and engageable with said spring member forinterlocking said cap with said spring member and for holding the closedend of said cap seated in said socket.

8. Desk set structure comprising a base having an open top socket in itsupper face, a spring member supported by said base and bridging saidsocket, a cap member having a closed end adapted to be seated in saidsocket,

a and an open end adapted to receive the writing point of the writinginstrument, and a cli member carried by said cap and releasab yengageable with said spring member for securing said cap in said socket.

9. Desk set structure comprising a' base having an open top socket inits upper face, a spring member supported by said base adjacent saidsocket, a cap member having a closed end adapted to be seated in saidsocket, and an open end adapted to receive the writing point of theWriting instrument, said socket being shaped similarly to the closed endof said cap'and having its longitudinal median line projected at anangle to the vertical, and a clip member carried by the closed endvportion of said cap and releasably engageable with said spring memberWithout manipulation of additional fastening means for securing said capin said socket.

10. Desk set structure comprising a base having a socket in its upperface, a ca member having a closed end adapted to e seated in said socketand an open end ada ted to receive the Writing point of the Writmginstrument, and interconnecting means between said cap and base by whichsaid cap is releasably secured in said socket by merely engaging saidmeans and rotating said cap upon said base.

11. Desk set structure comprising a base having a socket in its upperface, a cap member having a closed end adapted to be seated in saidsocket and an open end adapted to receive the Writing point of theWriting instrument, a spring axis member mounted on said base over saidsocket, and means carried by said cap releasably engageable with saidspring axis member for rotation of said cap above said base to securesaid cap in said socket.

12. Desk set structure comprising a base having a socket in its upperface, a cap member having a closed end adapted to be seated in saidsocket and an open end adapted to receive the Writng point of theWriting instrument, a spring axis member mounted on said base near saidsocket, and a clip member rotatably and releasably engageable with saidspring axis member for rotation of said receptacle about said springaxis member to releasably secure and hold said receptacle in place.

13. Desk set structure comprising a base having a. socket in its uppersurface, a cap member, and means for releasably mounting said cap memberin said socket which includes a spring member carried by said base andbridging said socket, and a member carried at one side by thesocket-received end of said cap member and rotatably engageable withsaid spring member, the distance between the point of engagement of saidspring member with saidcap-carried member and any part of said socketbeing less than the distance between the point of engagement of saidspring member with said cap carried member and the end edge of said capdiametrically-opposed to said capcarried member.

" 14. Desk set structure comprising a base having a socket in its uppersurface, a cap member, and means for releasably mounting said cap memberin said socket `which includes a spring member carried by said base andbridging said socket, and a member carried at one slde by thesocket-received end of said cap member and rotatably engageable withsaid sprinoj member, the axis of rotation of the rotatable parts beingfarther away from the end edge of said cap diametrically op-l posed tosaid cap carried member than from any part of the surface of saidsocket.

15. In structure of the class described, the combination with a pen caphaving a secures ment clip attached to the closed end portion thereof,of means releasably supporting said cap for support of the Writinginstrument for ISG desk set use comprising a base having a.

v socket in its upper face adapted to receive the closed end of saidcap, and a spring member carried by said base and bridging said socketand over which said clip may be'passed to confine said spring memberbetween said cap and clip, securement of said cap being effected byrotating said cap about said base with said spring member serving as theaxis of rotation.

16. In structure of the class described, the combination with a pen caphaving a securement clip attached to the closed end portion thereof, ofmeans releasably slvlpporting said cap for support of the writinginstrument for desk set use compr'sing a base having a socket in itsupper face adapted to receive the closed end of said cap, said sockethaving a shape similar to that of the received-end of said cap with itslongitudinal median line extending at an angle to the vertical7 and aspring member supported by said base and adapted to be rotatabl engagedwith said clip adjacent the attac ed end of the latter.

IVAN D. TEFFT.

